Internal Practices

Universal Yoga® Internal Practices (also known as Part 3) includes Internal Yoga practices which link together Mantras, Yantras, and Tantras. This includes work with Chakras, energies of Kundalini Awakening, and Ecstatic Tantric Samadhi. Based on the spiritual progress from Internal Practices, people can learn to maintain stability while in a balanced consciousness state. Then through this state learn to overcome any kleshas, roots of suffering, in accordance with the main goal of yoga — happiness. 

This 100-hour course will include the methodic of karma and how to perfect yourself on the karmic level and how to overcome and get rid of any karma. Internal practices are oriented to your ‘software’ not to your ‘hardware’. Asana is related to ‘hardware’, which is our physical body. (All aspects of the physical body are covered in Universal Yoga teacher trainings part 1 and 2, which also include Shiva Nata® and the Conscious Awakening® practice.)

During the morning physical practice sessions of this course, we will utilize Asanas as Mudras with Pranayamas and Bandhas using Energetic Micro-orbits and Macro-orbits. Other days we will practice Mandala Asana Vinyasa®. 

Andrey Lappa will give afternoon lecture and theory to teach students about different practices. You will learn how to do traditional practices, mainly based on sitting practices where you will have the opportunity to practice what was covered during lecture. This will give you experience doing the necessary things for success in tantra. These personal practices are done in a special ‘cave’ set up specifically for each practitioner. Students learn offerings, working with an alter, Pranayamas, Mantras, Yantras, and Tantras for the purpose of activation of Chakras, and Kundalini Awakening. 

These practices have four parts including External, Internal, Secret and Complete practices. In the 12 days we have for this course it is very hard to reach the Final State. However, this training is meant to be an instructional program where people can get guidance on how to do the practices so after the training is over they can continue to practice on their own to get results. Many practitioners return to future trainings to perfect the practices on a higher level. 

Universal Yoga® is a multi-faceted system of methods that represent all the essential rules and laws of authentic yoga. Is it not about the creator of the system (Andrey Lappa), nor is it about a particular, specialized direction in yoga. It is about unifying all of the methods and disciplines of authentic yoga that can be utilized for all individuals for broad or specific goal.

The Universal Yoga® system based on the idea of the mayakoshas (sheaths of the self) that include the physical, energetic, emotional, psychological, intellectual, bliss and karmic layers. The older Vedas use a 5 sheath model, the newer Vedas and Universal Yoga® use a 7 layer model which includes what’s manifest and unmanifest. The Universal Yoga® System teaches the yogic methods that enable any practitioner to create control and balance on each sheath, between the sheaths themselves and between the sheaths of the practitioner and surrounding space (world, environment, other people). There are distinct practices related to each sheath/shell that can be specialized and individuated for any level of practice or any purpose of development. 

A typical Universal Yoga® Mandala Asana Vinyasa™ class will be oriented around the idea of creating balance on all of the layers of self (physical, energetic, emotional and mental) using the three main threads of yoga practice: body, breath, and mind. The asanas, vinyasas, breathing techniques and turns on the mat, are creatively integrated while using all major ranges of mobility for arms, legs and spine. The primary goal of practice is not to target the body, but to target one’s concentration, focus and attention; to turn it all inward, creating a serenely stable inner-atmosphere conducive for awareness and personal development. Another Universal Yoga® practice that has this same goal is Shiva Nata™. The Conscious Awakening™ practice of Univeral Yoga® can prepare a practitioner for the sensation of having a nap to rest and rejuvinate.   

RULES OF UNIVERSAL YOGA:

There are seven aspects of practice in Universal Yoga that never change. Each of these aspects relate to the higher centers of the astral body (chakras), endowed to each human being.

• Be karmically free —
dharma, be free on the level of karma, this is individualism in yoga  (7th chakra)

• Be conscious —
responsible for what you do in all aspects of your practice and life (6th chakra)

• Be creative —
in your practice  (5th chakra)

• Be compassionate —
always loving, kind (4th chakra)

• Be strong in ojas  —
create ‘power of spirit’ (3rd Chakra)

• Be wise utilizing sexual energy  —
use for higher purposes, not degragation (2nd Chakra)

• Be successful in daily life —
consume healthy food, take care of yourself materially (1st Chakra)

FEATURES OF UNIVERSAL YOGA®: 

1) Practitioners of Universal Yoga® must use the ideas of unification, balance and control to create balance on each sheath (mayakosha), between the sheaths, and between themselves and surrounding space (people, animals, nature). In Universal Yoga® there are practices for each sheath that can be individualized according to the needs of each practitioner.

2) Universal Yoga® practitioners must remember to be true to the ultimate goal of yoga. If the ultimate goal is preserved then yogic knowledge will not be contaminated by personal interpretations, ego-oriented goals or yoga as a business. Each practice on any layer should bring the practitioner to an experience on the next layer.

3) Practitioners of Universal Yoga® must follow the traditional concept of the mayakoshas in their teaching and practice. This will prevent any individual approaches from becoming too narrow or too specialized. It will keep the practitioner on the path of true balance in yoga. Once one gets to the deepest layers of practice, all individual practices will be different because the karma of each person is different. All Universal Yoga®  teachers must understand the full system but also teach authentically to their dharma.

4) There are sixteen sub-styles to Universal Yoga®. There are numerous techniques to release patterns of tension in the body, breath, mind and the nervous system as a whole. It is a complete system suitable for any age and level of the practitioner. 

A certified Universal Yoga® teacher always keeps the authentic goal of yoga in mind when teaching others: the internal takes priority over the external, and through this understanding, every practice/technique of yoga should lead the practitioner to a deeper layer of experience, away from distraction. 

Approaches to yoga are as diverse as its practitioners, and so are the skills needed to master the art and science of teaching. Universal Yoga® studies all systems of yoga, empowering students with the confidence and skills necessary to be successful in their practice.

Founded by Andrey Lappa, Universal Yoga® is a logical, multi-faceted system that can be used by anyone living in the modern world, regardless of their level of asana practice. This system provides all the techniques for excellent physical health and the attainment of high spiritual aspirations.

“Andrey’s Universal Yoga® is to yoga practice what Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do is to martial arts – a style without style, or better said a style of all styles. Unlike many schools of yoga, Universal Yoga® is not fixed or patterned. The focus is to develop free yogis, by offering a philosophy of guiding thoughts and various techniques to open each practitioner to their own unique style, and giving them the tools to be spontaneous and adapt to any and all situations they might find in life.

This program is designed for all yoga practitioners who seek a deeper understanding of the ancient path of yoga, regardless of their background or practice style. Participants will come away with a profound understanding of their personal internal practice. This training is different from Part 1 and Part 2 Teacher Trainings. This training, Part 3, is soley for the student to practice themselves. This training is NOT meant to be re-taught to others. It is for you – the practitioner – only. A waiver will be signed by all participants with instructions on not sharing the teachings with others until Andrey Lappa gives you permission. 

This program compresses a vast array of ancient yoga teachings into a highly intensive course, offering the most complete training possible in the shortest amount of time. This intensive study includes physical practice, lectures, theory, and personal Internal Practice time.

Daily sessions begin with alternate between a Mandala Asana Vinyasa™ practice and an Asanas as Mudras with Pranayama and Bandhas practice.

Mandala Asana Vinyasa™ practices will be oriented around the idea of creating balance on all of the layers of self (physical, energetic, emotional and mental) using the three main threads of yoga practice: body, breath, and mind. The asanas, vinyasas, breathing techniques and turns on the mat, are creatively integrated while using all major ranges of mobility for arms, legs and spine. The primary goal of practice is not to target the body, but to target one’s concentration, focus and attention; to turn it all inward, creating a serenely stable inner-atmosphere conducive for awareness and personal development. These classes are mixed-level, accessible to all healthy yoga practitioners with a prior regular yoga practice (regardless of previous practice style background). Classes will offer new insights to novice practitioners, while presenting challenges to even the most seasoned yogis.

Asanas as Mudras with Pranayama and Bandhas practice is based off the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Using asanas that are held for a long period of time become mudras as the practitioner uses pranayama and bandha techniques to create internal energy. Micro and macro visualizations will be used. 

Lecture/Personal Practice will follow after lunch. Andrey will teach the theory and concepts of the Internal Practices. Lecture time will be longer in the beginning of the training and will gradually turn into all Personal Practice time by the end. Practitioners will be sitting for long periods of time. Please be prepared. 

Devote the training period to the training solely. Each day you will be given homework. It is also recommended you review your notes from the lectures in preparation for the exam.